Great Swordsman (グレートソードマン?) is a 1984 fighting arcade game developed by Allumer and published by Taito.
Gameplay
In Great Swordsman, one or two players can play while taking turns. Players control with two-way joystick and three buttons with different hit levels. Each for creating different level attacks. Like in Data East's Karate Champ, buttons must be held. If they are released, the players' characters will revert to their standing animation. Moves can be defended against by intercepting the players' opponents' weapons with the players'.
The object of the game is to land a hit on the opponent or push him/her off the mat to score a point. There are fifteen levels with three different modes. The first three are fencing, the next five are kendo, and the final seven are gladiator-based. After clearing all levels in one mode, the "VICTORY SCORE" will be added to the players' scores, even if any of them was tied with their opponents at the end. After fifteen levels are completed, the players start over in a higher difficulty setting and repeat after the next fifteen levels are also cleared. There are also bonus levels where players must deflect arrows to score extra points.
Released
1984
Platform
Arcade
Developed by
Allumer, Ltd.
Published by
Taito Corporation
Perspective
Side view
Genre
Sports
Visual
Fixed / flip-screen
Description
Great Swordsman is an arcade 2D sports/fighting game. The player controls a competitor/warrior, who fights against opponents in three types of duels: fencing, kendo fight and gladiator fight. The game has fifteen levels. The rules are sports-based, just touching opponent with the sword wins a single round. The fighting is controlled through three buttons for low, medium and high attacks. In special bonus rounds arrows need to be deflected to score points.
From Mobygames.com. Original Entry
Reviewer:
Jerry Cornelius
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 25, 2017
Subject:
Loads Of Fun
I can't believe I never played this game when it was originally in the arcades. It's loads of fun and challenging. If you enjoy some of the 80's karate/kung fu games, you will like this one as the gameplay is quite similar.
Reviewer:
dreich@yahoo.com -
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July 4, 2017
Subject:
Olympic Epee Fencing '80s style
Press 1 to start and HOLD one of each of three joystick buttons down as your avatar advances and retreats along the strip. Lunge, parry, and riposte. First to five touches wins the bout and advances to the next round!
Love the victory dance / pouting loser in the end. All it is missing is the throwing of the helmet mask at the judge. Reminds me of the old Apple 2 game Summer Olympics.